Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-05-24
The Old Scouts Sacrifice.
BY VI. VICTOR sTALEY.

BY VI. VICTOR sTALEY.
Say, Jack, whence comes that
smoke which rises from behind yonder
hill?"
The question comes from a youth who
stands leaning on his rifle beneath the
shade of dense growth of trees
which fringe the edge of small stream.
tributary of the Rio Grande. in the
Territory of Arizona. The person adj
dressed is Jack Ankerney, ranchman
and prairie scout. He is heavily built.
tall and straight as an arrow. fine
specimen of manhood. On his head
he wears broad sombrero. while in
his belt glistens large bowie knife and
The usual brace of reyolvers.
The young man whose query opens
this sketch is Dick Arguson. nephew
of the old scout. but lately arrived on
visit from the States. As he asks the
question, the scout arises from the
grassy knoll on which he is reclining,
and gazes in the direction indicated.
Presently he exclaims. Indians,
Dick, or my name is not Jack Anker-
uey. They must be again on the var
path. for | can swear that is Capt
Ration ranch" Then more hurriediy,
mount your nag. my boy. We must
ride over and investigate
But. as Dick starts to untether the
ponies. the old scout again exclaims,
Hold! if am not mistaken, l behold
horseman Just descend yonder rise in
the prairie.
Taking small field glass from peck
ct in his buckskin blouse, he looks
long and earnestly to the westward.
at is as thought. IT'S Capt Ration,
and how fast he ridesl Ali he is pur-
sued. 4 band of red rascals press hard
behind. aud he is heading straight for
this chaparal. He rides Whip-poor-
W II. the fastest piece of horse-tiesh in
this section, and will out-distance them
| yet
Thus the moments fly, Dick and the
old scout anxiously watching the ex-
cit NJ race. On, on, DER the prairie
come the pursuers and pursued, the
distance between them slowly widen
ing a Whip-poor-w.ll bears his rider
forward.
.Ha. ha, bar laughs the scout,
You may as well turn back my red
friends, for your prey is eIuding your
grasp"
But. even as he speaks. the noble
an NAL pitches forward and falls heavi-
ly to the ground. The Capt an leaps
to his feet and. seeing that his horse is
too badly injured to be OF further SER
wee. quickly puts a ball through his
brain to end its suffer ngs. and. turn
ing, speeds on toward the chaparal
His pursuers, real zing his m sfortune.
W tn yells of triumph urge their ponies
on with new Zeal
Get your rifle, Dick exclams the
scout, 'and we'll give those red
devil warm reception.
Meanwhile the Captain. now close
enough to observe that friends are
near. speeds on with renewed courage.
His pursuers. who before seemed
bent on capture. now realizing that
he is likely TO escape, uusling their
rifles and ire repeatedly vt their ~
tended victim who is making every
endeavor to reach the friendly cover.
On, ON, he comes. the bullets VIII st
ling around him yet without taking
effect.
As his purSuers draw nearer. howev-
err their aim becomes more certain;
and, Just as he reaches the edge of the
timber, he receives wound N the leg
and falls forward into the arms of the
old scout outstretched to receive him.
who. after bearing him to a safe shell
ter. selects 4 large tree and from its
friendly cover watches the approach of
the dusky warriors.
As they arrive within easy range of
his rifle, he sings out to Dick TO give
them u charge. win lie he also takes de-
liberate aim, and fires W til the satstac-
I on of bring NJ re,lskin from his sad
die. Dick fires at the same moment
but without apparent effect. The In
dams return the fire. but evidently
real zng that they are held at disad-
vantage, and not knowing the number
of their concealed foes, after rid ng to
a safe distance and engaging in short
parley. turn. and carrying with them
their dead cOmrade rids back o er the
trail
Waiting only long enough to ascertain
tdtil tAiNif w iitt FuNSitA 10 ts-Sut u ~
and the scout turn to look after the
Captain. They iini him just recover
ing consciousness, and upon examina-
{ on. they discover that the charge has
produced but flesh wound, the Cap
tain having fallen more from exhaust
ion than from any other cause.
I ''Well. old man. YOU have had a mar
row escape. " exclaimed the old scout,
when the Captain WIS able to speak.
Whist has happened over your way?"
Thus questioned the Captain relates
the inc dents that led TO his exciting
race.
He had beon hunting. and was return
ing, when riding view of h 5 ranch
he beheld the red maraniers in the
act of firing his home; VIII lie in their
midst q prisoner. stood his daughter.